JUSTIN BIEBER is 18 now . . . and he's officially launched his campaign to re-brand himself as a legit, adult-friendly artist. Here's the latest:
--Justin just did a cover shoot for "Complex" magazine, where he's refereeing a boxing match. Things turn ugly . . . and the two boxers began BEATING THE CRAP out of him.
--The result is a series of graphic, bloody action shots, with some of them showing Justin being punched in the face. (--Obviously it's all staged, but it looks real. You can check out 10 of the pictures, here.) (Complex)
--In the interview, Justin says he raps on his upcoming album, "Believe" . . . he discusses his relationship with SELENA GOMEZ . . . and he talks about his dedication to his career.
--On Rapping: Justin says, quote, "I just rap for fun. It's nothing to take seriously. On my new album, I'm going to do a little bit of rapping." He then spit a few lines from his upcoming single "Boyfriend":
--Quote, "Tell me what you like, dear / Tell me what you don't / I could be your Buzz Lightyear / Fly across the globe / You don't even need to fight, dear / You already know / I can make you shine bright / Like you're laying in the snow, burr."
--On His Relationship with Selena: He says, quote, "There is no way to hide the relationship completely, because then it would be unfair to us. It's like, 'You take this car and I'll take this car, and then we'll meet up at the spot . . .
--"'I'll go through the back area. Then we'll meet in the dressing room and see each other.' At that point, it's not even a relationship. You're just hiding from everyone. That's unfair and unhealthy, man."
--On Taking His Career to the Next Level: He says, quote, "I feel like it's my responsibility to be the greatest I can be. If I start making terrible music, I don't expect people to like me.
--"If I'm making great music and there's no reason for people to dislike me, that's when it's going to make me upset. People just need to take a chance and listen. If they don't want to take a chance, then I don't know.
--"That's going to be the biggest problem: To make them feel like it's cool for them to like my music."
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